The Grand Pilipinas Fiesta Princess and Grand Pilipinas Fiesta Queen competitions place accomplishments in school and the workplace, affinity with Filipino heritage, as well as community involvement, on roughly equal footing with outward appeal.

In fact, candidates are asked to assist in raising funds for worthwhile causes.

This year and for the foreseeable future, part of the proceeds is earmarked for Fiesta In America’s year-round support for underfunded Philippine exporters.

Businesses known as MSMEs (micro, small and medium-size enterprises) struggle to break into the vast New York-New Jersey market.

Fiesta In America provides a platform for retail sales and first-hand consumer research at the event’s Trade Pavilion.

Opportunities for bulk sales, meanwhile, are tapped by making Philippine goods known to hundreds of U.S. importers and distributors in cooperation with the Trade Representative.

Grand Pilipinas Fiesta Pageant candidates indirectly support job-creating industries in the Philippines through fundraising that help MSMEs sell and promote their products in the U.S.